the second-generation entry-level EOS, with 8.0-megapixel CMOS sensor
[ Japan : EOS Kiss Digital N, Americas : EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT, Europe/Asia/Oceania : EOS 350D DIGITAL ]
This month's Technical Report introduces the EOS Kiss Digital N, a new digital SLR camera that was announced on February 18, 2005. It is the second-generation entry-level digital EOS and has an 8.0-megapixels CMOS sensor.
With EF-S18-55mm f/3.6-5.6 II USM
More than 1.4 million EOS Kiss Digitals have been sold since its release in September 2003, and it has been highly acclaimed as the pioneer entry-level digital SLR camera. The EOS Kiss Digital N is the successor to the EOS Kiss Digital. The concept of development is as follows.
High-quality, precise image
• 8.0 megapixel CMOS sensor
• DIGIC II for precise and natural color reproduction
Compact, lightweight body with luxurious design
• 126.5 x 94.2 x 64mm/485g
• Stylish design giving a sense of reliability and high quality
Enhanced functions suggested by EOS Kiss Digital users
• 0.2-second start-up time
• 3 fps continuous shooting and 14-shot burst
• User-selectable AF modes, light metering modes and flash exposure compensation
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed supported
• Direct Print
• Dedicated AA battery grip
Simple and easy operation continuing the series' standard features
• Retains the EOS series basic features
• Compatible with all EF lenses including EF-S lenses
Affordability
This overview presents improvements of the EOS Kiss Digital N over the EOS Kiss Digital.
Evolution of digital features for precise, high-quality image
(1) High-precision 8.0 megapixel CMOS sensor
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The EOS Kiss Digital N has our proprietary CMOS sensor with about 8.0 effective megapixels (out of a total of about 8.2 MP) and an effective sensor size of 22.2 x 14.8 mm (see Photo 2).
Like the EOS-1D Mark II, EOS-1Ds Mark II and EOS 20D before it, the EOS Kiss Digital N achieves thorough noise reduction with its second-generation on-chip noise reduction circuitry, as well as high precision and image quality with its RGB primary color filter and the high-performance three-layer hybrid low-pass/infrared cut filter. |
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DIGIC II, an ultra fast and high-performance digital imaging engine, which was developed for the EOS-1D Mark II, enables reproduction of digital images precisely in natural color at about 3fps continuous shooting.
(3) Enhanced processing parameter settings
There are two preset parameters: Parameter 1 for sharp, vivid images ideal for direct printing, and Parameter 2 for natural images maintaining fidelity with the subject. Additionally, three custom parameter sets can be assembled from the Contrast, Sharpness, Color Saturation and Color Tone processing parameters. The parameters have up to five levels each for various shooting conditions.
As with the EOS 20D, B/W Parameter is available for monochrome shooting, enabling users to set Contrast and Sharpness at up to five levels each. Yellow, orange, red and green filter effects, and sepia, blue, purple and green toning effects can also be used.
(4) Enhanced White Balance modes
The EOS Kiss Digital N has Auto, Preset (for six light sources), and Custom White Balance modes, as well as White Balance Correction and White Balance Bracketing, like those of the EOS 20 D. Color temperature information transmission is supported when the Speedlite 580EX is attached.
(5) High-speed writing to CF card
With DIGIC II and an improved CF card writing process, the EOS Kiss Digital N writes about 3.5 times faster than that of the EOS Kiss Digital.
(6) RAW and JPEG simultaneous recording in separate files
While the EOS Kiss Digital stores a JPEG image (Middle/Fine) within the RAW image file and requires dedicated software to extract the JPEG image, the EOS Kiss Digital N can simultaneously record and store the RAW and JPEG images as separate files, a RAW file with extension of ''.CR2'' and a JPEG file (Large/Fine). Also, RAW file images can be recorded without the JPEG image if desired.
(7) Compliance with DCF 2.0 and Exif 2.21 to support Adobe RGB
The EOS Kiss Digital N complies with DCF 2.0 and Exif 2.21, which are revised to support Adobe RGB.
(8) USB 2.0 High-Speed supported
Thanks to DIGIC II, the EOS Kiss Digital N supports USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, enabling high-speed data transfer, which is about 10 times faster than the EOS Kiss Digital.
Evolution of shooting features for speedy and comfortable operation
(1) Quick 0.2-second start-up
Thanks to DIGIC II, improved start-up sequence and access flow to the CF card, the EOS Kiss Digital N starts up in about 0.2 seconds like the EOS 20D, enabling users to shoot as quickly as with an EOS film camera (see Fig. 1).
The EOS Kiss Digital N employs high-speed 7-point AF sensor (see. Fig. 2) like the EOS Kiss Digital, and its features are enhanced as follows:
In Creative Zone mode, any of 3 AF modes, One-Shot AF, AI Focus AF, or AI SERVO AF, is selectable from the menu to meet various subject conditions.
• Cross keys for easier AF point selection
Cross keys at the back of the body enable more intuitive AF point selection. As with the EOS Kiss Digital, main dial is used for AF point selection.
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| Photo 3 Black Model Top View | Photo 4 Black Model Back View | ||
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A new precision matte focusing screen, exclusively developed for the EOS Kiss Digital N, allows more precise manual focusing while retaining clearness.
(4) Continuous shooting at 3fps and maximum 14-shot burst in JPEG Large/Fine format
The EOS Kiss Digital N gives continuous shooting up to a maximum burst of 14 shots in JPEG Large/Fine format with the highest image quality, and five shots in RAW format (see Fig.3). When the buffer memory (temporary recording memory) in the camera is full, it takes about 0.8 seconds in JPEG (Large/Fine), or about two seconds in RAW until the camera is ready for the next shot.
A compact shutter unit, developed for the EOS 20D, is modified for the EOS Kiss Digital N. It has a top shutter speed of 1/4000s and X-sync at 1/200s.
(6) E-TTL II autoflash for consistently precise exposure
The EOS Kiss Digital N uses the E-TTL II autoflash system that is well received for its precise, consistent flash exposure. The built-in flash covers the field of a 17mm wide-angle lens. The offset distance from flash head to optical axis is 5.5mm longer than that of the EOS Kiss Digital (see Photo 5), effectively reducing the incidence of red eye.
Though the EOS Kiss Digital N uses the NB-2LH (720mAh), a smaller lithium ion battery pack from the Powershot series, but it achieves the same shooting capacity as the EOS Kiss Digital using the larger BP-511 (1,100mAh) due to the camera's power-saving design. It can take about 600 shots without flash or 400 with 50% flash use at normal temperatures (about 20 °C), or about 450 shots without flash and 350 shots with 50% flash use at 0 °C.
(8) Compatibility with EF-S lenses
The EOS Kiss Digital N is compatible not only with all of more than fifty EF lenses, but also with EF-S lenses, such as EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II USM, EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM and EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM.
The 35mm-equivalent focal length multiplier is about 1.6x (18-55mm equals about 29-88mm, 17-85mm about 27-135mm, 10-22mm about 16-35mm and 60mm about 96mm).
Evolution of design and operability
(1) Ultra-compact and world's lightest Digital SLR to date (as of February 2005)
The EOS Kiss Digital N employs a compact shutter unit, mirror box, viewfinder optics, optimized drive mechanism and ultrahigh-density packaging to achieve volume and weight savings; smaller by 15.5mm in width, 4.8mm in height, and 8.4mm in depth (see Fig. 4), and 75g lighter than the EOS Kiss Digital.
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| *The EOS Kiss Digital size is shown in gray silhouette. |
Compactness, operability and handling comfort are optimized and well balanced in stylish design of the EOS Kiss Digital N. Two exterior colors, silver and black, are available.
(3) Custom functions
The EOS Kiss Digital N has nine custom functions (see Table 1) for detailed customization.
Table 1 Custom Functions
| C.Fn | Custom Function | No. | Setting |
| 1 | SET button/Cross Key Functions | 0 | Normal |
| 1 | SET: Quality | ||
| 2 | SET: Playback | ||
| 3 | SET: Parameter | ||
| 4 | Cross Keys: AF frame selection | ||
| 2 | Long Exposure Noise Reduction | 0 | Off |
| 1 | On | ||
| 3 | Flash Sync. Speed in AV Mode | 0 | Auto |
| 1 | 1/200 sec. (fixed) | ||
| 4 | Shutter Button/AE Lock Button | 0 | AF/AE lock |
| 1 | AE lock/AF | ||
| 2 | AF/AF lock (no AE lock) | ||
| 3 | AE/AF (no AE lock) | ||
| 5 | AF-assist Beam | 0 | Emits |
| 1 | Does not emit | ||
| 2 | Only extension flash emits | ||
| 6 | Exposure Level Increments | 0 | 1/3-stop |
| 1 | 1/2-stop | ||
| 7 | Mirror Lockup | 0 | Disable |
| 1 | Enable | ||
| 8 | E-TTL II | 0 | Evaluative |
| 1 | Average | ||
| 9 | Shutter Curtain Sync. | 0 | 1st-curtain sync. |
| 1 | 2nd-curtain sync. |
(4) Direct Print supported
The EOS Kiss Digital N supports direct printing, which is very popular among Canon compact digital camera users. Direct printing is as easy as one, two, three:
1. Connect the camera to a Direct Print-compatible printer
2. Select the image to be printed
3. Press the Direct Print button when it lights blue
This issue of the Technical Report introduces the EOS Kiss Digital N.
Table 2 compares the major specifications of the EOS Kiss Digital N to the EOS Kiss Digital.
*Accommodates two NB-2LH battery packs or six AA-size batteries
Table 2 Major Specifications Comparison between EOS Kiss Digital N and EOS Kiss Digital